Tips from your conveyancer / solicitor of what to think about

Buying a house is an exciting time, any conveyancer, solicitor or real estate agent can tell you about the excitement that the purchasers experience during this time Many people fall in love with a property on first sight but, while purchasing a home is truly exciting, it is also a big investment and it is very important to know what to look for when purchasing. This is the first article in a series we have developed offering some tips and hints about what to look for in a property as well as some of the pitfalls to avoid.

Getting your dream home

Follow these tips, compiled from conveyancers and solicitors to make sure you purchase the perfect property that meets all of your needs, and don’t end up buying something that the real estate agent wants to sell instead!

Think about the living space.

Decide in advance the amount of bedrooms and bathrooms that your family needs, and how much living space is necessary. Decide the number of floors that you want as well and how often is too often when going up and down flights of stairs.

Though not necessarily a part of the living space, yard space should be considered. Younger children will want a place to run and play and like most Aussies, if you do a lot of outdoor entertaining, you’ll want enough space to enjoy a BBQ with friends regularly.

When purchasing a house, it is so important to determine what the must-haves are and what is negotiable when it comes to the size of the living space.

Location, location, location.

Think about how far from your work you are willing to live and the distance are willing to commute each day. Be sure to take morning and evening traffic into consideration.

If you have children, you will want to look into the schools available in the area and that they have a good reputation and offer a good curriculum.

Think about noise levels at various times of the day and even from season to season. A quiet school playground will be a lot more lively during school months. And a location that is close to busy roads will be louder during the morning and evening peak hour times. A young, hip neighbourhood might have loud parties on the weekend, while a set of more mature neighbours might not appreciate excitable children in the area.

Have the property inspected by qualified providers.

Pest and building inspectors are trained to find flaws in a home that the untrained eye may never notice. When engaging a Building Inspector you should talk to them about what their inspection covers. Some of the common things they may check for are any evidence of issues with the foundations, walls or floors and for symptoms of mould or termites. They might also check the roof for leaks and other issues including faulty heating, cooling, and wiring that might lead to unsafe living conditions or costly future repairs.

Factor in any renovations.

It is easy to look at a home that has flaws and decide to renovate later. However, what might seem like an aesthetic issue could end up becoming a costly fix that leads a new home owner to go way over his intended budget. Look up the price of flooring, paint, or any other issues that will need fixing and determine if the work will be worth the price. Have a builder or carpenter quote on any intended repairs or alterations so you know what you are up for.

Question everything.

Do not be afraid to ask the sellers questions. It may seem rude to ask about utility bills and rates, but it is essential in determining the true cost of a property. For example, a home with large windows may seem bright and sunny, but it can also mean drafts in the windows and warmer rooms in the summer, both problems that make for higher heating and cooling costs. If there is a pool in the backyard, the cost of running the pump may cause your power bill to skyrocket.

Some neighbourhoods have higher rates than others. Always ask the sellers about the councilrates to determine if higher rates are common in the area.

It is also important to question the owners about previous repairs and any fixes or preventative measures that have been provided in the home. Even if the issue is no longer a problem, it is imperative to determine issues that could once again become problematic in the future.

Do not forget the little things.

When going to an open home, don’t forget to take a look under the proverbial hood. Turn on all of the taps in the house to be sure that they do not sputter and that the water runs clear. Determine if the size of the water heater will be large enough to sustain your family each morning or evening. Be sure that the insulation is sufficient and will not need to be replaced in the future. Check for sticky doors and windows. Walk around the outside of the house and look at the gutters to be sure that they drain properly and will not flood the yard during rain.

In addition to cabinet space, be sure that the house has enough closet space as well as outside, or garage, storage options. Be sure that the power points within the home are enough for all of the family’s electronics and that they are placed in strategic places throughout the rooms.

If the paint is new, take a bright light to it in dim overhead lighting. This will help to show any cracks that may have been simply covered in paint and not actually repaired.

Lastly check with local Internet providers to be sure that Internet service is available in the area, especially if the home is in regional or rural Australia.

Next week we’ll cover off what structural issues to be alert for when inspecting a property.

This article is for informational purposes only. Go Go Conveyancing will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.